GEORGE NEWS - After 14 months, the TB initiative at Harry Comay Hospital is still going strong. 

"This initiative has gone from strength to strength and we have had more involvement from the community," says Dr Alyssa Loftus, medical doctor at the hospital. She says the patients are excited to be part of this and the monthly winner announcement is a highlight for many. 

This month's winners are Nandipha Kibido and Brandon Muller.

The patient of the month initiative was started in 2017 in an attempt to motivate and encourage patients in their fight against TB. "This has proven to be very successful. The winners are role models in the hospital and community and inspire and motivate other patients," says Loftus.

The symptoms of TB are coughing that lasts more than three weeks, discoloured or bloody sputum (mucus coughed up from the lungs), drenching night sweats, weight loss, tiredness, fever or chills, loss of appetite and chest pain.

The hospital wants people to know that TB is curable. "The course of treatment is normally six months and always involves a combination of drugs. It is vitally important that patients strictly adhere to the treatment and finish the course, or the TB can become even more difficult to treat (resistant)."

Every month a few finalists are selected according to their fulfilment of specific criteria (medication compliance, friendliness, neatness, helping in the ward, attending group sessions etc). Thereafter a committee comprising of doctors, nursing managers and the social worker selects the two winners.

Any organisation or individual who would like to be involved in this initiative, can contact Harry Comay Hospital, situated in Nelson Mandela Boulevard, George, on 044 803 9000 / 044 8141108 or speak to her at the hospital.

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